The Wild Can't Operate As A Bubble Team Again This Year

With the 2024-25 season approaching, teams like the Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, and St. Louis Blues are at a crossroads this year. Each franchise enters the season playing with something to prove as they try to make the playoffs as a bubble team. 

If Minnesota is a bubble team again, Calgary, Seattle, and St. Louis could push the Wild out of a playoff spot. Each team has improved in the offseason and expects to make the postseason after a down year last season. 

Calgary Flames 

After losing goaltender Jacob Markstrom, Calgary must make adjustments, develop players, and maximize their roster’s potential to improve this year. However, it all starts with goaltender Dustin Wolf stepping into Markstrom's role. 

The Flames must mentor Wolf and start him regularly while running a defensive system that doesn’t regularly expose him to scoring chances. Calgary can create a balanced goaltending duo with Dan Vladar, 27, and Wolf. Vladar's experience can help ease Wolf into the NHL and share the workload to avoid overusing him.

Calgary must also offensively empower young forwards like Matt Coronato, 21, and Connor Zary, 22. By providing them with ice time and responsibilities on the power play, the Flames can help them reach their potential. They also added Anthony Mantha to bolster their secondary scoring. 

Veterans like Mikael Backlund, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nazem Kadri will be vital in guiding younger players through the season. The Flames can improve their performance by developing young talent, maximizing line combinations, and embracing defensive play. 

Seattle Kraken

To make the playoffs this year, the Kraken must capitalize on their strengths, develop their young talent, and make the most of their new additions. Head coach Dan Bylsma will be crucial. He’s a proven winner and will instill a strong team culture. 

Seattle also possesses a promising pool of young players, such as Shane Wright and Berkly Catton, whose development should be a priority. By providing these players with more ice time in critical situations, the team can help them gain confidence and become impact players. 

By adding Brandon Montour fresh off a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, Seattle should be better defensively. The Kraken can navigate its challenges effectively by creating a culture of accountability and resilience. The team can position itself for a successful season and increase its chances of making the playoffs. 

St. Louis Blues 

Acquiring young talents like Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway is crucial for the Blues to make the playoffs in the 2024-25 season. Broberg and Holloway must quickly adapt and perform in their new roles for St. Louis to be successful this year. 

The additions of players like Alexandre Texier, Mathieu Joseph, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, and Radek Faksa should accentuate the Blues’ physicality and speed. Extending Pavel Buchnevich will help guide younger players who are adjusting to the NHL. 

Defensive stability and goaltending consistency will significantly affect the Blues’ success. Ryan Suter, 39, is no longer in his prime, but he’s still a stable veteran who wants to make Kirill Kaprizov's life miserable as he takes over for Torey Krug, who is on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR).  

St. Louis will also rely on its solid goaltending duo of Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer. Binnington's ability to return to elite form will be critical to the team's success. Under new head coach Drew Bannister, the Blues must effectively execute a system focused on speed and physicality while improving their special teams play. 

The 2024-25 season will be a defining moment for the Flames, Kraken, and Blues as they improve their rosters over the summer. The Flames will need to focus on goaltending stability and empowering young forwards, while the Kraken must prioritize the development of their promising talents within a strong team culture.